Easy Orchids

[Lee]

Greetings,

I will be going to an orchid show this weekend, one to which I have been before. It is an astounding panoply of gorgeous orchids of every variety. I do not want to be seduced into buying one that is difficult to grow. Is there an orchid (besides Phals) which is fairly easy to grow under ordinary circumstances (no greenhouse, etc.) Best exposures
I have for natural light would be East. Thanks for any suggestions.

Lee

[sunshine]

What is the temperature in your home? My house is anywhere from 65-72 and I thought that was on the cool side but have found out differently that I am intermediate to warm. I have east windows and the light is bright enough to bloom catts. So before you go to the show learn your light and temps and make sure you ask the vendors if your not sure about culture conditions. The majority of them will take the time to tell you what the orchid needs if you ask them.

[Filb]

I find many of the oncidiums and other related intergenerics to be pretty easy. definitely ask vendors at the show. I'm sure they wouldn't lead you astray.

On a side note, I love your vocabulary!

[Lee]

Thanks for your replies. My house temp is 68 in the daytime and 65 at night. I have found, in the past, that as friendly and helpful as vendors try to be it is often bedlam at this show with very close quarters. It is therefore difficult to have a lengthy conversation with them and, at times, a conversation at all. But I will try.

Rachel, my vocabulary is instinctive vs. deliberate. It must be the English teacher in me as well as the myriad of books that I tend to read. Thanks for liking it.

Best,

Lee

[Filb]

I love learning new words, especially those with really specific definitions, and your posts are full of them!

Here is a link from oak hill about temperature and lighting ranges:
Oak Hill Gardens.
Like sunshine, your house seems to be in the intermediate range.

It might a good idea to stop by a local nursery or hydroponics store to see if you can pick up a light meter. I found a 3-in-1 meter for less than $10.
It really did wonders for me in demystifying the light variable in growing orchids.

After you know those two conditions, you can browse/research more effectively.
Try going to Andy's Orchids website, it has a great power search function that can help you pick some plants that are conducive to the microclimate of your house.

Good luck!

[koshki]

I have a few neos growing in my east-facing kitchen window that are doing well. Also my angreacum didieri. Small, interesting plants with beautiful fragrant flowers. What's not to love?

[katrina]

Well, well, well...wouldn't happen to be the show in Dayton, would it? I'll be there myself!

If you live in Central OH and share my same clime...look for something in the Aerangis group. They stay small and pretty much appreciate the same culture as phals. They are very, very slow growers though. If you're doing well w/phals you should have no trouble w/these little ones. The easiest of the group...at least IMO...is Aerangis citrata. I find that Aerangis cryptodon and kotschyana are a little fussy so you might want to skip over those in the beginning.

Maybe a bulbo or two...some would do great w/an Eastern exposure.

I would definitely try to speak w/the vendors because they'll be able to give you the cultural requirements. You have to talk w/them if you're paying so just grab a few orchids you're interested in and when you get ready to pay...ask first.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Lee

I do not want to be seduced into buying one that is difficult to grow. Is there an orchid (besides Phals) which is fairly easy to grow under ordinary circumstances (no greenhouse, etc.)

Any orchid is easy to grow if it receives the culture/conditions it wants. The opposite is true too, any orchid will be difficult if it does not get what it wants.

The key is to 1) know the conditions you have (light, temperature, etc.) and 2) buy orchids that like those conditions.

Take the daytime high and night time low temperature in your growing area. Also find out if your light is high, medium or low. Generally a southern window = high, east and west = medium, north = low (this applies to the northern hemisphere only). Also consider how much attention you will be able to give your orchids. Will you be able to water them every day? If not then avoid orchids that require a lot of water. Take all of this info with you when yo go to a show and show it to the sellers. They will be able to guide you to orchids that will grow in your conditions. Also if you post those conditions here we can give some possibilities.

[Lee]

Great suggestions. Very much appreciated. Yes, Katrina, orchid show is at Cox Arboretum.......may now not be able to go.....down with something that has made me feel miserable. Hope it will improve by saturday or sunday so I can attend the show and get myself a belated Valentine's Day present.

[koshki]

Nothing will make you feel better than an orchid show!!

[katrina]

Hope you feel better Lee! It's usually a really good show and sale. However, if you have to miss it...keep the weekend of March 26th open for the COOS show in Columbus. It's at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

Heck, even if you go this weekend...make a trip over here for ours!